Miami Military Defense Lawyers

Elite Civilian Military Defense Attorneys Serving Miami, South Florida & Military Personnel Across the Region

Miami, Florida is one of the busiest strategic regions for U.S. military, Coast Guard, federal task forces, and joint operations. With U.S. Coast Guard Sector Miami, Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM), Marine and Navy reserve units, Homestead Air Reserve Base, federal law enforcement task forces, and multiple aviation and maritime operations, Miami is a unique blend of military presence, high-stakes missions, and an intense civilian environment. When a service member is accused of wrongdoing in Miami, the consequences can be extreme and life-changing.

Gonzalez & Waddington, Attorneys at Law is the premier military defense firm for service members facing accusations in South Florida. Led by former JAG Michael Waddington and elite trial attorney Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington, our firm has represented clients stationed at every major Florida installation and across more than a dozen countries. We defend service members from every branch who live in, work near, or travel through Miami and Fort Lauderdale, including Air Force, Space Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Army, reservists, and federal service members.

The Miami Military Legal Environment: High-Risk, High-Visibility & Fast-Moving

Miami is unlike any other military environment in the United States. While South Florida does not have the large standing military bases found in Pensacola, Jacksonville, or Tampa, it hosts one of the most active operational regions in the entire country. Military personnel assigned to Miami face legal risks that are far greater than the national average.

Here’s why:

• Heavy nightlife culture: Miami Beach, Wynwood, Brickell, and Fort Lauderdale generate thousands of alcohol-related accusations every year.
• High civilian interaction: The local population is transient, international, and often unfamiliar with military culture or due process.
• Fast police involvement: Civilian police departments in South Florida treat military cases seriously, often escalating matters based on emotion or misunderstandings.
• Joint operations: Coast Guard, DHS, CBP, Miami-Dade PD, ICE, and federal task forces cross-report incidents frequently.
• Career-ending command climate: At units like USCG Sector Miami, the command is extremely risk-averse — often punishing before facts are confirmed.
• False or exaggerated accusations: Common due to alcohol, jealousy, breakups, nightlife disputes, and misunderstandings among strangers.

Miami’s environment is a perfect storm: nightlife, alcohol, international visitors, high operational tempo, and constant exposure to civilians. Service members here must treat even minor accusations as potential career-ending threats.

Branches & Units We Serve in the Miami/Fort Lauderdale Region

We represent members from all military branches operating in Miami, including:

• U.S. Coast Guard Sector Miami (Downtown Miami, overseeing Florida’s busiest maritime sector)
• Homestead Air Reserve Base
• U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) in Doral, FL
• SOCSOUTH (Special Operations Command South)
• Army Reserve & National Guard units throughout Miami-Dade and Broward
• Marine Corps Reserve units in South Florida
• Navy reservists operating from Key West, Jacksonville, and Miami missions
• Federal military personnel & DoD contractors assigned to joint missions

Whether you’re stationed in Miami full-time, attending temporary duty, or visiting during training, allegations can follow you back to your parent command — or result in instant administrative action.

UCMJ Criminal Defense for Miami-Area Service Members

Our firm defends military personnel in Miami accused of misconduct under the UCMJ, including cases initiated by CGIS, OSI, NCIS, CID, or civilian law enforcement.

Most Common UCMJ Charges in Miami

• Article 120 / 120b — Sexual assault, abusive sexual contact, intoxication-related cases
• Article 128b — Domestic violence, assault, restraining order violations
• Article 112a — Drug allegations (cocaine, MDMA, THC vapes, ecstasy, pills)
• Article 92 — Failure to obey orders, fraternization, misconduct
• Article 107 — False official statements
• Article 133/134 — Conduct unbecoming, indecent acts, adultery, disorderly conduct
• Article 86 — AWOL / failure to report

Where these allegations come from:

• Miami Beach clubs & bars
• Fort Lauderdale nightlife (Las Olas, A1A)
• Brickell & Downtown Miami high-rise apartments
• Wynwood nightclubs & venues
• Airbnb/VRBO party houses
• Domestic disputes involving civilian partners
• Civilian police who escalate minor issues into major cases

Types of courts we handle:

• General Court-Martial
• Special Court-Martial
• Summary Court-Martial
• Article 32 preliminary hearings

Miami-area UCMJ cases are uniquely dangerous because civilian accusations often trigger simultaneous CGIS investigations and command involvement back at your home unit.

Administrative Separations, NJP, & BOIs in the Miami Region

Commands in Miami — especially USCG Sector Miami — use administrative tools aggressively. You can lose your career even when there is not enough evidence to court-martial you.

We defend in:

• NJP / Captain’s Mast / Article 15
• Administrative separation boards
• Officer Boards of Inquiry (BOI)
• Security clearance suspension appeals
• Relief-for-cause challenges
• Adverse evaluation rebuttals

Common reasons for administrative action in Miami:

• Alcohol incidents in nightlife districts
• Alleged domestic conflict in Miami-Dade or Broward
• Consent-based allegations involving intoxicated civilians
• Social media and texting misunderstandings
• Conflicts with civilian roommates
• Migrant-interdiction operational disputes
• Boarding operations complaints filed by migrants or smugglers

A weak accusation can still destroy a Miami service member’s career — unless you have aggressive civilian representation.

Miami Hotspots for Military Legal Trouble

1. Miami Beach (South Beach, Collins Ave, Ocean Drive)

• High alcohol consumption
• Tourists making unreliable accusations
• Consent misunderstandings
• Public intoxication & disorderly conduct arrests

2. Brickell & Downtown Miami

• High-rise apartment disputes
• Parties leading to accusations
• Domestic situations involving civilian partners

3. Fort Lauderdale (Las Olas Boulevard)

• Bar fights
• Civilian complaints
• Police escalation of minor incidents

4. Kendall, Doral, Hialeah & Coral Gables

• Noise complaints
• Domestic 911 calls
• Police reports that turn into CGIS referrals

Why Service Members in Miami Choose Gonzalez & Waddington

Miami is one of the most dangerous cities in America for military legal problems — and you need a defense team that understands the terrain.

• Former JAG Michael Waddington — one of America’s top military defense lawyers
• Attorney Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington — elite trial strategist & cross-examiner
• Decades of worldwide UCMJ defense experience
• Books & resources used by military lawyers globally
• We take fewer clients to deliver elite-level defense
• National reputation for winning “unwinnable” cases

Pro Tips for Service Members in Miami Under Investigation

• NEVER speak to CGIS, NCIS, OSI, police, or command without a lawyer.
• Save all texts, social media messages, photos & videos.
• Do NOT contact the accuser.
• Avoid all nightlife until your case is resolved.
• Document your timeline with dates, times, witnesses, and screenshots.
• Refuse consent searches on phone, car, barracks, or residence.
• Get a civilian attorney early — early intervention saves careers.

Your Miami-Based Military Career Depends on Immediate Action

If you’re stationed in Miami or Fort Lauderdale and facing misconduct allegations, NJP, administrative separation, BOI, or court-martial charges, you cannot wait. The government and CGIS are already building their case. You need civilian firepower now.

➤ Schedule a Confidential Consultation with Gonzalez & Waddington

Authoritative Military Resource: United States Coast Guard

Miami Military Defense Lawyers – Frequently Asked Questions